Manchester United may not be able to appoint a replacement for Erik ten Hag until next summer.
That’s the view of talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy, who also questioned the potential candidates for the job should a change be made now.
Ten Hag’s contract at United was extended by a year until 2026 this summer, but he is once again under pressure at Old Trafford.
He has overseen their worst start to a league season in 35 years, beating his own record, with just eight points won from seven matches in the Premier League.
After a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, Ten Hag was given matches against Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa to keep his job.
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United drew both and speculation over the Dutchman’s future has increased as a result, although it’s understood he believes he’s safe.
It comes just months after the club reviewed his position before his extension was completed, and talkSPORT’s Cundy has explained why he thinks a permanent change may have to wait.
“Here’s the problem they had back then, if they feel there’s not the man that they want right now… I don’t think giving him another year was the worst thing, I don’t think it was the worst decision,” he said on The Sports Bar.
“Who’s available right now? There’s not a whole, big list,” he added, before his co-host Jamie O’Hara insisted: “I know, but they’re Manchester United, go and get the manager you want.”
“Well, what if they do want [Simone] Inzaghi [Inter Milan head coach], he’s not leaving Italy anytime soon,” Cundy said in response.
“That’s the problem they’ve found themselves in now. They’ve left it mid-season, this change is going to be… it’s a plaster, mate, going over a big scratch.”
O’Hara than revealed his belief that arrangements have already been made for Ten Hag’s departure.
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“I think things are in place for Ten Hag to go. I think they made that decision when they brought [Ruud] Van Nistelrooy [assistant manager] in, things are in place.”
However, Cundy responded: “Right, OK, fine. But if the main target they feel is not available right now, they might have to wait until summer.”
“I wouldn’t wait until the summer, are you joking?” O’Hara asked in confusion. “What are you talking about? What do you mean?”
“Mate, they might have to,” Cundy explained. “OK, who’d they want? If it’s not [Thomas] Tuchel, who’s out there? Tuchel’s got his own bit of baggage, I know he wins things but he has got a bit of baggage.”
“It can’t get any worse than Van Nistelrooy, it can’t get worse, can it?” said O’Hara, although Cundy reiterated: “I’m saying, leave the main decision until the summer.”
Ten Hag enjoyed an excellent start to life at United as he won the Carabao Cup in his debut season and finished third in the league.
FA Cup glory followed in the 2023/24 campaign last season, but their eighth place finish was their worst-ever in the Premier League era
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Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe then conducted his season review, with Tuchel, Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter emerging as candidates for the job.
Ten Hag eventually entered successful discussions over extending his stay at the club, although his current status is now uncertain.
talkSPORT understands that former Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Tuchel has admirers on the United board, as well as Brentford head coach Thomas Frank.
Ex-England manager Southgate is also held in high regard by Ratcliffe and sporting director Dan Ashworth.
